Darrin currently is a social studies teacher in the Willmar School District working with at-risk students at Prairie Lakes School, a juvenile detention center in Willmar. Teaching at Prairie Lakes is where Darrin first learned about fighting for those that feel they do not have a voice, those that feel forgotten, and feel no one cares or will stand up for them. It is here where Darrin learned to fight hard for those he serves, advocating for a better tomorrow. Many of the students Darrin teaches feel they are forgotten, left behind because of their home environment or the decisions they have made. Darrin has fought tirelessly for his students fighting for two years at the MN Legislature to restore school funding cut from programs like Prairie Lakes that the students will receive a full and proper education. Darrin also helped secure Bonding money for Prairie Lakes for a multi-purpose space that can be used for recreation and career tech education. Besides teaching, he also works as a basketball and baseball coach at the Willmar Middle School. Taking that love and passion for advocating for his students Darrin was elected to the Litchfield School Board, currently serving as the chairman for the past six years. Here he continues to advocate for all students that they receive the best education possible. While on the school board Darrin has promoted transparency in what the board does when it comes to finances, educational decisions, board decisions, and asking for input from the community. Darrin will tell you the greatest achievements he has accomplished was working with the community to pass the referendum/bond levy and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. With the passage of these two initiatives, the school district can provide great programs, keep class sizes small, update the outdated buildings, and invest in career technical education in the trades. Darrin will tell you the greatest challenge was getting through the COVID-19 pandemic as a school. We worked hard advocating for our students and working tirelessly trying to keep our students in person, in school with their teachers and friends. Many steps we took was working with the state and the community to do what was best for our students, not letting the state determine what was best for our students. Darrin’s goal as chairman of the Litchfield School Board was always to keep a close relationship with the community, as this is their school, that the board is the servant of the people, and together we can create the best school and community possible. Besides serving on the school board, Darrin is very active in his community serving on the Darwin Lions, volunteering at the Meeker County Fair GOP booth, volunteering with the Defend the Police effort, working with the city with the Wellness Center, serving as an advisor to keep CRT out of the MN social studies standards, Chairman then Vice-Chairman of the Meeker County Republican Party, and serving as a liaison for Rep. Darrin is married to Holly Schultz-Anderson and they live in Darwin.
